Slipper



Nov. 2, 1948.

c. H GRAVES 2,452,649

SLIPPER Filed Nov. 30, 1946 IxIII/IIIIIIIIIIII w.

IN VENTOR. Chas. Ji. Graves HTTXS Patented Nov. 2, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIPPER Charles H. Graves, Stockton, Calif.

Application November 30, 1946, Serial No. 713,356

1 Claim. 1

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, a slipper, sandal, or the like, with a counter arranged, in novel manner, to facilitate placement of the footwear on a persons foot.

Another object of the invention is to provide 4 footwear, as in the preceding paragraph, wherein the counter is an initially separate unit hinged for rocking movement in a lengthwise direction, and spring-urged to a backward tilted position whereby the footwear, such as a slipper, is easy to put on the foot without engaging or breaking down the counter at its rear end.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical slipper, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed. 7

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slipper embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a slipper embodying the invention; the movable counter unit being shown, in full lines, in the position occupied by the same when the footwear is in use. The initial or starting position of the counter unit is shown in broken lines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a slipper embodying the invention, as engaged on a wearers foot; the full-line position of the counter unit being the same as in Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the present invention is shown in connection with a slipper, indicated generally at I, which slipper includes a full length sole 2 fitted, at the forward portion, with a toe portion 3. At its rear end the sole 2 is fixed in connection with, and supported by, a heel 4.

The counter unit is indicated at 5; said counter unit being U-shaped in plan and initially separate. The sides of the counter unit taper forwardly and downwardly, as shown, and said unit includes a bottom, heel plate 6.

At the bottom, and adjacent the back thereof, the counter unit 5 is provided with a pair of transversely spaced, downwardly projecting ears I through which a horizontal, transverse hinge pin 8 engages; said hinge pin extending across a longitudinal pocket or recess 9 in the heel; and being engaged with said heel at opposite sides of said recess.

As so mounted the counter unit 5 is rockable lengthwise of the footwear between a rearwardly tilted position, as in full lines in Fig. 1 and in broken lines in Fig. 2; and in a forward upstanding position, as in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3.

The sole 2 is recessed on top at its rear end portion, as at H], for reception of the bottom heel plate 6 when the counter unit 5 is inits forward, upstanding position.

A leaf spring ll, disposed lengthwise in the recess 9 and fixed therein, bears upwardly against the bottom plate 6 of the counter unit 5 ahead of the axis of the hinge pin 8, and urges said counter unit to its rearwardly tilted position for ease of placement of the footwear on a wearer's foot.

The footwear can be easily applied to the foot by first placing the toes in portion 3, and then lowering the heel, without binding or pinching, into the initially rearwardly tilted counter unit. When the wearer's heel bears against the bottom plate 6, the counter unit 5 is swung to its forward and upstanding position, whence said counter unit serves in the manner of a counter in a conventional shoe.

The footwear can be similarly removed with ease by merely lifting the heel, whereupon the counter unit 5 tilts rearwardly so that the forward part of the foot can be readily withdrawn from the portion 3.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

In footwear which includes a sole having a forward and a rear portion, an initially separate, forwardly opening counter unit disposed above the rear portion of the sole, and means hinging the counter unit for rocking motion between a rearwardly tilted position and a forward upstanding position; the counter unit including a, bottom heel plate and the hinge being in a plane below the top of the sole, the latter being recessed to receive said heel plate.

CHARLES H. GRAVES.

REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 19, 1850 Number 

